Holder comprising a movable arch

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a half-shell of a holder for elongated objects ( 7 ), in particular pipes or cable trees, having a spring structure ( 2 ) attached to the half-shell ( 1 ) on the inside to produce a positive connection with the object ( 7 ) and is distinguished in that the half-shell ( 1 ) comprises a spring structure ( 2 ) having a spring characteristic with a broken curve. The invention relates in particular to a half-shell ( 1 ) having an outer shell ( 4 ) and having a spring structure ( 2 ) attached to the half-shell ( 1 ) on the inside to produce a positive connection with the object ( 7 ), which connection is formed by an inner shell ( 3 ), the inner shell ( 3 ) comprising at least one first bridge-like arch ( 5 ) spanning an interior ( 15 ) and freely movable outward, and at least one second bridge-like arch ( 6 ) arranged next to the first arch ( 5 ) in lengthwise direction of the object ( 7 ) to be secured, and the first arch ( 5 ) clearing a smaller interior ( 8 ) than the second arch ( 6 ), and the second arch ( 6 ) being in contact with the outer shell ( 4 ) on the outside. The half-shell ( 1 ) according to the invention is capable of conservatively and safely holding different objects ( 7 ) of widely different diameters.

The invention relates to a half-shell of a holder for elongated objects,in particular pipes, lines or cable trees, having a spring structureattached to the half-shell on the inside to create a positive connectionwith the object.

In the prior art, holders consisting of two half-shells are known forsecuring electric lines, brake lines or other elongated objects. U.S.Pat. No. 4,881,705 describes a holder element of plastic having alodgment portion for a pipe and a holding portion for attaching theholder element to a support, the lodgment portion comprising an insertof material softer than the plastic of the holding portion and theinsert being connected to the holding portion by a two-componentinjection process. With such a holder, oscillations of an elongatedobject contained therein whose diameter substantially matches thediameter of the holding portion are damped, thus achieving noiseabatement.

A disadvantage of available holding systems for elongated objects isthat such holding systems are commonly provided for objects ofsubstantially fixed pre-assigned diameter. The holding of objects ofvariable diameter, as for example with different numbers of cables,presents a problem for known holding systems. Also, objects of widelydifferent diameter cannot be held with one and the same holder. Holdingsystems with soft inserts, for example, permit only minor variations ofdiameter.

In known holding systems, an object having a larger diameter than aclear space in the holder must be placed in the holder with excessiveforce. Such forces may damage either the object or the holder, and areundesirable during assembly.

An object of smaller diameter than the holder provides is not heldsecurely enough, and there is danger that the object will loosen oroscillate.

Hence the present invention is to specify a half-shell for a holdercapable of holding objects of different diameters, or of variablediameter, conservatively and safely, and of suitably proportioning theholding forces so as to secure an object.

This is accomplished by a half-shell for a holder having the features ofclaim 1. Advantageous embodiments, which may be employed each singly orcombined in any way with each other, are the subject of the dependentclaims.

The half-shell of a holder for elongated objects, in particular pipes orcablings, according to the invention, having a spring structure attachedto the half-shell on the inside to provide a positive connection withthe object, comprises a spring structure having a spring characteristicwith a broken curve.

A spring characteristic curve specifies the force required to deform aspring by a certain distance, for example to compress or stretch it. Thespring characteristic is the force-displacement curve, and characterizesthe spring.

With the help of the holder, elongated objects may be attached to acarrier, for example, in automotive construction, to the bodywork of anautomobile, or elongated objects may be bound together. The holdercomprises one or more half-shells to accommodate the object. With thehelp of the spring structure on the half-shell, the object is fixed.This positive connection prevents unintentional release of the objectfrom the half-shell.

Whereas in the prior art holders with spring structures are known whosespring characteristic, within the limits of tolerance, is asubstantially linear curve (Hooke's law), the spring structure accordingto the invention, within its range of tolerance, has a broken curve.Owing to this broken curve, the half-shell is better able to accommodateobjects of different diameters. Depending on the nature of the objectsto be secured, the broken curve of the spring characteristic effectsappropriate holding forces for the particular diameter of the object.

For example, for light lines, only comparatively small holding forcesare required; for thick brake lines, however, more than proportionallylarge holding forces are needed. By the broken curve of the springcharacteristic, the force required for a given diameter can beaccurately adapted.

The problem of past holders, that outside of the range of tolerance of aspring structure, the spring force either collapses or, owing to animpact, increases excessively, so that objects of larger diameter areeither not securely or too tightly held, is solved by the broken curveof he spring characteristic. Excessive holding forces for largerdiameters, that may cause damage to the object or the holder, areavoided.

To ensure a secure hold on a thicker object, the slope of the springcharacteristic at a kink advantageously increases by at least 20%, inparticular by at least 50%, preferably by at least 100%. In order topreclude damage to the elongated object or to the half-shell, the slopeof the spring characteristic at a kink increases by less than a factorof 50, in particular by less than a factor of 20, preferably by lessthan a factor of 10, and with especial preference, by less than a factorof 5.

With the half-shell according to the invention, it is brought about inthis way that objects having a wider spectrum of diameters can be heldor secured. Preferably, the ratio of the smallest diameter that thehalf-shell can accommodate to the largest diameter that the half-shellcan accommodate is at least 1:1.2, in particular at least 1:1.5,preferably at least 1:2. In this last case, the greatest diameter thatcan be accommodated is double the smallest diameter that can beaccommodated. Thus the same holder can be employed for objects ofdifferent thicknesses.

Another advantage of the half-shell according to the invention is thatowing to the non-linearity, a better centering of the object at thecenter of the holder is achieved, since a deflection of the object fromthe center is opposed by a non-linear force, increasing more thanproportionally with increasing deflection.

In an embodiment of the half-shell according to the invention, thehalf-shell comprises an inner shell forming the spring structure and anouter shell, the inner shell consisting of an elastic material and theouter shell of a less elastic material, and the inner shell comprisingat least one first bridge-like arch spanning an inner space and freelymovable outward.

The outer shell encloses the object at least in part, and lends specialstrength to the half-shell by reason of its rigidity. The inner shellforms the spring structure. The inner shell may have the conformation ofan insert for the outer shell. It may be separate from the outer shellor connected to it by two-component injection molding technology(“2K-Technik”). The broken curve of the spring characteristic isachieved for example by the first bridge-like arch in connection withthe inner shell in that the first bridge-like arch as such iselastically deformed retrocessively in a recess on the inner shell, andthe inner shell as such is further elastically deformed.

If for example an object of smaller diameter is placed in thehalf-shell, only the first bridge-like arch is deformed. The object istherefore securely held by comparatively smaller holding forces. On theother hand, if an object of larger diameter is placed in the half-shell,the half-shell will be elastically deformed as well. Both the first archand the half-shell each act as a spring. On the basis of the greaterstrength of the inner shell compared to the first bridge-like arch, theholding force increases more than proportionally. The cooperation of theinner shell with the first bridge-like arch achieves an (effective)resultant spring constant of the structure, which abruptly rises from asmaller value (given by the spring constant of the first bridge-likearch) upon transgression of a certain diameter, to a higher value(determined by the spring constant of the inner shell). The abrupt risein effective spring constant of the spring structure is equivalent to akink in the spring characteristic.

With the help of the kinked spring characteristic, greater holdingforces can be achieved for an object of larger diameter than would bethe case according to the linear function (Hooke's law).

Another decisive point here is that the tolerance range of the springstructure is enlarged. Whereas past spring structures allow only anarrow tolerance range, the interplay of the different springs of theassociated kinked form of the spring characteristic create a broadertolerance range for different diameters. The tolerance range of aholding, in this context, means the range of possible diameters forwhich excessive holding forces, causing damage to an object, and tooweak ones, failing to hold an object securely, are excluded.

In another embodiment of the half-shell according to the invention, theinner shell comprises at least one second bridge-like arch arrangedalongside the first in lengthwise direction of the objects to besecured, the first arch leaving a smaller inner portion clear than doesthe second arch, and the second arch being in contact with the outershell on the outside. The curvature of the first arch may lie in thesame direction, for example inward, as the second arch, but it may alsopoint in the opposed direction. What is important is that the first archleaves a smaller inner region clear than does the second arch, so thatan object having a smaller diameter is in contact only with the firstarch, whereas objects of a larger diameter are in contact with both thefirst arch and the second arch.

By the combined force of both arches on the object, the spring constantis greater than with the action of a single arch. The properties of thespring structure are determined by the fact that from a certain diameteron, besides the action of a first spring, here provided by the firstarch, a second spring goes into action, here prompted by the effect ofthe second arch.

In this way, various objects of different diameter and objects ofvarying diameter, such as for example cable trees, can be conservativelyand safely secured and held with one and the same half-shell accordingto the invention.

Advantageously, the inner shell can serve as an insert into the outershell. Thus the inner shell may in simple manner be made of a differentmaterial, in particular a softer material, than the outer shell. By thedifferential fabrication of the inner and outer shells, moreover, animproved uncoupling of vibrations between object and a carrier to whichthe half-shell is attached can be achieved.

It is of advantage if the inner shell interlocks with the outer shell.In this way a loosening of the inner shell from the outer shell, nomatter whether an object is inserted in the half-shell or not, is ruledout.

In a special embodiment of the invention, the inner shell comprises anintermediate first arch and two external second arches. By such asymmetrical arrangement of the arch, a symmetrical distribution ofholding forces acting on the object and hence a more secure hold on theobject are ensured. It is advantageous also if the breadth of the secondarch is smaller, i.e. the second arches are each narrower, than theintermediate first arch.

To uncouple the motion of the first arch from the second arch, the firstarch is separated from the second arch by a slit. Then both end segmentsof each arch need not be connected to the inner shell. It is sufficientif the first or the second arch only is connected to the inner shell atan end segment. To achieve a higher rigidity, however, it isadvantageous if the first arch and the second arch each comprise two endsegments connected to each other, so that the first arch and the secondarch cohere.

To give the first arch freedom of motion outward, the outer shellcomprises a window. This ensures that the first arch, in the case ofobjects of larger diameter, does not press against the outer shell,which might unnecessarily limit the range of tolerance of the springelement. Any loading of the object or of the half-shell with excessiveforces upon contact of the first arch with the outer shell is avoided.

In an advantageous embodiment of the half-shell according to theinvention, the half-shell comprises teeth directed inward. The teetheach have the function of individual springs. The teeth may be attachedeither directly to the half-shell or to the inner shell as well as tothe first or the second arch. With them, the characteristic curve of thespring element can be controlled. Inward, in this context, means thatthe teeth point towards the object to be secured.

In a preferred embodiment of the half-shell according to the invention,the spring structure is formed by a first spring element and a secondspring element, the two spring elements extending different distancesinward towards the inner shell.

By the differential length of the two spring elements, a kink is made inthe characteristic curve of the spring. If the diameter of an object issmall, only the spring constant of the first spring element acts; if itis so great that not only one of the two spring elements, but both thefirst spring element and also the second spring element, are tensed, thespring constant of the second spring element will act over and above.

By preassigned various spring elements of different lengths, severalkinks may be made in the characteristic spring curve. The springcharacteristic can be accurately adapted. If for example a thin objectis held by first spring elements only, the resulting holding force issmall. If a thicker object is held by first and by second springelements, the resultant holding force is more than proportionallygreater. The effective resulting spring constant of the spring-structure is determined by the sum of the respective spring constantsof the individual spring elements.

Advantageously, the inner shell consists of a rubber-like material.

To achieve an especially safe retention of the object, the half-shellcan be assembled with a second half-shell, in particular one of similarstructure, to form a complete pod. The pod prevents the object fromescaping from the half-shell. Here it is not required that thehalf-shell must be secured in another carrier.

Additional advantageous embodiments and refinements of the inventionwill be illustrated with reference to the following drawing. Here thedrawing is intended to illustrate important elements of the invention byexample, without limiting the invention to these examples.

Schematically,

FIG. 1 shows a half-shell according to the invention, with an object, incross-section;

FIGS. 2 to 4 show alternative half-shells according to the invention, incross-section;

FIG. 5 shows a half-shell according to the invention with an inner shellin cross-section;

FIG. 6 shows a half-shell according to the invention with two arches, ina view from below;

FIG. 7 shows the half-shell according to the invention of FIG. 6 atsection A-A; and,

FIG. 8 shows the half-shell according to the invention of FIG. 6 atsection B-B.

FIG. 1 shows a half-shell 1 according to the invention with springstructure 2, positively holding an object 7 in an interior 8 of thehalf-shell 1. The spring elements 2 comprise a spring segment 16 and anelastic support segment 17. In the case of the object 7 shown, thediameter is so small that the object 7 is held by the force of thespring segments 16 alone. If an object 7 of greater diameter is taken,the spring segments 16 will be correspondingly more deformed, so thatthe support segments 17 will bear on the inner surface 20 of thehalf-shell 1 and in turn be elastically deformed. The spring constant ofthe spring structure 2 will thus be determined by the sum of the springconstant of the spring segments 16 and the spring constant of theelastic support segment 17. Thus a more than proportional holding forcewill result as soon as the diameter D of the object 7 exceeds a certainvalue. The resistance 7 is brought into the half-shell 1 by bending theobject 7 according to its diameter D.

FIGS. 2 to 4 show different conformations of a half-shell 1 according tothe invention having an interior 8, the spring structure 2 being formedby the cooperation of a first spring element 13 and a second springelement 14. The first spring element 13 extends less far into theinterior 8 than the second spring element 14. In the case of objects(not shown) having a small diameter, only the second spring elements 14are elastically deformed. The holding force is therefore determined onlyby the spring constant of the second spring element 14. In the case ofobjects of larger diameter, the second spring elements 13 will bedeformed as well, so that the holding forces acting on the object willbe co-determined by the spring constant of the first spring element 13as well. By the differential length of the spring elements, a kinkedform of the spring characteristic of the spring structure 2 is broughtabout. The half-shell 1 is intended to be assembled with anotherhalf-shell (not shown), in order together to form a shell enclosing anobject.

FIG. 4 presents the peculiarity that the spring elements 13, 14 eachindividually do not exhibit a spring characteristic following a linearforce function. The two spring elements 13, 14 are for example ofconical configuration. The first spring element 13, or the second springelement 14, comprises a first end 18 and a second end 19, the thicknessof the first and second spring element 13, 14 being different at thefirst end 18 from the thickness of the first or second spring element13, 14 at the second end 19. This supports a more than proportionalforce increase of the spring structure 2 with increasing diameter D ofan object 7.

FIG. 5 shows a half-shell 1 according to the invention, having an innershell 3 comprising a first arch 5, whose curvature extends into theinterior 8. The first arch 5 spans an interior 15 arranged between anouter shell 4 and the inner shell 3. Objects having a smaller diameterare held only by the first arch 5, elastically deforming the first arch5. Objects of greater diameter will additionally effect an elasticdeformation of the inner shell 3. What this accomplishes is that bothobjects having a greater diameter and also objects having a smallerdiameter can be securely held by the same half-shell 1.

FIG. 6 shows a half-shell 1 according to the invention, having a firstarch 5 and a second arch 6, in a view from underneath. FIG. 7 shows thehalf-shell 1 according to the invention of FIG. 6 in section A-A, andFIG. 8 shows the same half-shell in section B-B. As will be understoodon viewing all three figures together, the first arch 5 leaves a smallerinterior 8 free than does the second arch 6. The second arch 6 rests incontact with the outer shell 4. Objects having a smaller diameter willbe securely held by teeth 12 provided on the inner shell 3. In the caseof objects having a greater diameter, the first arch 5 is elasticallydeformed, escaping into a window 11 in the outer shell 4. By the escapeof the first arch 5, a greater interior 15 is created to accommodate anobject of greater diameter. In the case of greater diameters, the objectcontacts the teeth 12 of the second arch 6. In this case, the object isheld both by the first arch 5 and also by the second arch 6, avoidingundesirable release of the object from the half-shell 1.

The invention relates to a half-shell of a holder for elongated objects7, in particular pipes or cable trees, having a spring structure 2 fixedto the half-shell 1 on the inside to make a positive connection with theobject 7, and is distinguished in that the half-shell 1 comprises aspring structure 2 having a spring characteristic with a broken curve.The invention relates in particular to a half-shell 1 having an outershell 4 and having a spring structure 2 attached to the half-shell 1 onthe inside to produce a positive connection with the object 7, formed byan inner shell 3, the inner shell 3 comprising at least one firstbridge-like arch 5 spanning an interior 15 and freely movable outward,and at least one second bridge-like arch 6 arranged alongside the firstarch 5 in lengthwise direction of the object 7 to be secured, where thefirst arch 5 clears a smaller interior 8 than the second arch 6 and thesecond arch 6 is in contact with the outer shell 4 on the outside. Thehalf-shell 1 according to the invention is capable of conservatively andsafely holding different objects 7 of widely different diameters.

List of Reference Numerals

-   1 half-shell-   2 spring structure-   3 inner shell-   4 outer shell-   5 first arch-   6 second arch-   7 object-   8 interior-   9 slit-   10 end segments-   11 window-   12 teeth-   13 first spring element-   14 second spring element-   15 interior-   16 spring segment-   17 stamping segment-   18 first end-   19 second end-   20 inner surface-   D diameter

1. Half-shell (1) of a holder for elongated objects (7), in particularpipe, lines or cable trees, having a spring structure (2) attached tothe half-shell (1) on the inside to produce a positive connection withthe object (7), characterized in that the spring structure (2) has aspring characteristic with a broken curve.
 2. Half-shell (1) accordingto claim 1, characterized by an inner shell (3) forming the springstructure (2) and an outer shell (4), the inner shell (3) consisting ofan elastic material and the outer shell (4) of a less elastic material,and the inner shell (3) comprising at least one bridge-like arch (5)spanning an interior (15) and freely movable outward.
 3. Half-shell (1)according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner shell (3)comprises at least one second bridge-like arch (6) arranged alongsidethe first arch (5) in lengthwise direction of the object (7) to besecured, the first arch (5) clearing a smaller interior (8) than thesecond arch (6) and the second arch (6) lying in contact with the outershell (4) on the outside.
 4. Half-shell (1) according to claim 3,characterized in that the inner shell (3) is insertable as an insertinto the outer shell (4), in particular interlockable with the latter.5. Half-shell (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the innershell (3) comprises an intermediate first arch (5) and two exteriorsecond arches (6).
 6. Half-shell (1) according to claim 5, characterizedin that the second arches (6) are narrower than the intermediate firstarch (5).
 7. Half-shell (1) according to claim 3, characterized in thatthe first arch (5) is separated from the second arch (6) by a slit (9)from each other.
 8. Half-shell (1) according to claim 3, characterizedin that the first and the second arches (6) each comprise two endsegments (10) at which the first and second arches (5, 6) coheretogether.
 9. Half-shell (1) according to claim 2, characterized in thatthe outer shell (4) comprises a window (11) to give the first arch (5)freedom in its outward motion.
 10. Half-shell (1) according to claim 1,characterized by teeth (12) directed inward.
 11. Half-shell (1)according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring structure (2) isformed by a first spring element (13) and a second spring element (14),the two spring elements (13, 14) extending different distances inwardtowards the inner shell (3).
 12. Half-shell (1) according to claim 1,characterized in that the inner shell (3) consists of a rubber-likematerial.
 13. Half-shell (1) according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe half-shell (1) is assembled with a second half-shell, in particularof similar structure, to form a complete pod.
 14. Half-shell (1)according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two elongatedobjects (7) are securable.